I used the same treatment on this driveway that I use for others including the sidewalk. Here’ I used 3% pretreatment. Yet there’s still some grey areas on it. It looks like it’s been painted in the past & also some of the color of the stones are faded. I’m sure it’s perfectly clean but still a 1% doubt that maybe I’m not getting it as clean. Does anybody have experience with these? Included is a before & after of the driveway. I’ve done one like this before & it was the same thing. They just don’t look amazing even when cleaned there’s some dark paint mixed in there.
some of it does look like it needs more dwell. Did you sign up to do anything other than dirt or organics? if not, I wouldnt worry too much about it if you did all necessary steps. give that spotted one some more dwell time or stronger mix tho, unless its paint
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No I just sell organic removal and surface clean. I had done another like this and noticed how it would still have dark areas sometimes around the edges of the tile. But overall it would clean up. I am starting to wonder how this type of surface is made.
News flash, that’s not tavertine. Run your pw over it, but that stuff fades anyway.
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I surface cleaned & post treated. I think this is painted concrete w/paint in the mix. Maybe they etch it to look like stone…I use 16" WW 5GPM & 1700 psi 25025 tips
Yeah, I was thinking painted stamped concrete when I saw the pics. Definitely fades, depending on how they finish it.
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It’s been my (limited) experience here in KY the darker spots are there on purpose for some visual 3d ‘relief’. I think they use some sort of process when stamped. When the topcoat fades it makes people think it’s dirty.
From the interwebs I gather they mix in a darker color with the mold release agent to add the ‘antiquing’ look.
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I doubt it’s paint. When pouring concrete there are a few ways they can color. One way is having the color mixed into the concrete. This means it will be colored all the way through. You can find out by digging some dirt away on the side and see if there is color all the way down. Another thing they’ll do is wait until it’s dry and use a colored sealer. That’s probably what you’re dealing with. I think they might also spread a colored powder down while the concrete is still wet but not positive. They would then seal over that.
What it needs after cleaning is a sealer with a similar color dye to bring it back to life and protect it from the elements.
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Another question I have is I got a client that wants their driveway sealed. I cleaned it before & it’s stamped concrete. What is the recommended sealer & method. I am thinking URESEAL and to spray it on w/a small pump sprayer. Thanks in advance.
Has it been sealed before?
I am not sure. I cleaned it a year ago.
Start by asking the customer when they last sealed it and what they used.
If it has a surface sealer on it, you can usually tell by looking at the concrete. You can also put a few drops of water on the concrete and see if it soaks in or sits on the surface.
Do a test with a few drops of xylene in an inconspicuous area. That will determine what sealer to use. If it’s sticky, you have a solvent sealer on it. If it doesn’t react, it’s a water-based sealer. (This assumes there is a sealer on it.)
Either way you’ll need to clean it again before sealing.
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Make sure you discuss their expectations for finish/sheen…some like flat, others super-glossy. I prefer to stick with water-based, and usually buy only Seal’n’Lock because they are the only ones that tell me I can apply without coming back for a second visit, which seems irrelevant in your case.
Do you have to use the same type that was used before i.e. water or solvent based…
I thought you had to strip before re sealing or it would look like (not good).
When you say apply without coming back for a second visit, you mean basically apply when wet after cleaning (?)
Yes sir. We may hit it with the leaf blower, but if we finish the wash on the front of the home, usually any standing water has dissipated.
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OK got it.
No stripping as long as you go with the type (solvent or water) that’s already on there. Otherwise, it needs to be stripped.
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When you strip & apply sealer, do you use the same setup/pump to do so & just flush it out? What is the process for that. Do you cover the sidewalks with plastic & rinse it down w/the gun? after you apply the stripper? I am currently looking to add a sealer setup to my inventory using a PW cart battery pump & bucket.
It depends on the sealer. Some sealers you need a metal pump sprayer b/c the solvents will eat the plastic sprayers up.
If you’re rolling, no need to cover anything. If you’re spraying, you need to cover any adjoining concrete. Once the sealer hits the concrete, it’s on it and isn’t coming up (without using a stripping agent).
I don’t do much stripping. I figure out what’s already on the surface, if anything, and I stick with that type of sealer (water or solvent).
You could put yourself together a 12v cart to apply but some solvents you simply can’t spray b/c they’re two thick and you have to roll them on. So make sure to read the directions.
